Laura Diaz Exits KCBS After Nearly 10 Years

She'll be replaced by KCAL anchor Rick Garcia, who will now anchor KCBS' 6 p.m. newscast.

Diaz, who had spent years at KABC before moving to KCBS in 2002, will now focus on her own production company.

"It has been an amazing run at CBS 2, and I’ll miss the many colleagues who have become close friends," Diaz said in a statement. "Getting a chance to serve Southern Californians with news that matters is something I will always treasure and it’s something I look forward to continuing to do. I feel now is the perfect time to branch out and begin producing my own shows and other content. I look forward to being back on the air shortly, and continuing to keep our city and our people informed."

Diaz, who has won 14 Emmy Awards, was named lead 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. anchor at KABC in 1997, making her the first Latino to hold the lead anchor role at an L.A. English-language station.

As for Garcia, the anchor will continue his duties on KCAL's 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts. The anchor first joined KCBS sister KCAL in April 2009 after 22 years at KTTV.

"As he approaches his 25th anniversary on Los Angeles television next year, it is clear that Rick Garcia has played a major role in the growth and success of KCAL’s primetime newscasts," said KCBS/KCAL president/GM Steve Mauldin. "In addition, he has been a regular contributor and substitute anchor on CBS 2’s evening newscasts, which makes him a familiar and well-liked presence on both of our stations. We are extremely pleased to recognize Rick’s importance to our stations and the communities we serve by expanding his responsibilities to include anchoring CBS 2’s 6 p.m. newscast."